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A look at memorable characters from some of the best-known "Saturday Night Live" cast members -- and how the comedy stars fared after leaving the show.

Andy SambergYears on the show: 2005-12 Memorable role: His work with the "SNL" digital shorts Away from SNL: Andy Samberg is still a member of comedy/music troupe The Lonely Island and recently starred alongside Adam Sandler in "That's My Boy."

Kristen WiigYears on SNL: 2005-12 Memorable roles: The Target Lady; Dooneese on "The Lawrence Welk Show" Away from SNL: While on "SNL," Kristen Wiig appeared in director Judd Apatow's 2007 film "Knocked Up" and starred in and co-wrote the Oscar-nominated 2011 hit "Bridesmaids." She has started doing voice work for upcoming animated films "Despicable Me 2" and "How To Train Your Dragon 2."

QueenAmy PoehlerYears on SNL: 2001-08 Memorable role: Hillary Clinton (plus 482753 others)Away from "SNL" After leaving the show in 2008, she began starring as Leslie Knope in NBC's "Parks and Recreation," which has earned multiple Emmy nominations. She's also added her voice to the animated films "Megamind" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked."

Tina FeyYears on the show: 2000-06 (started as a writer in 1997) Memorable roles: Weekend Update anchor; Sarah Palin Away from "SNL": Tina Fey made her film debut as a writer and co-star in "Mean Girls" in 2004, then co-starred with "SNL" alumna Amy Poehler in "Baby Mama" in 2008. She created the Emmy-winning NBC series "30 Rock" in 2006 and plays the show's lovable Liz Lemon.

Jimmy FallonYears on the show: 1998-2004 Memorable roles: Nick Burns, your company's computer guy; Weekend Update anchor Away from "SNL": Although Jimmy Fallon occasionally had film roles after his "SNL" departure, his talk show "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" on NBC is what brought him back into the media spotlight. The show, which started in 2009, has since received three Emmy nominations.

Will FerrellYears on the show: 1995-2002 Memorable roles: George W. Bush; cheerleader; (and tons more)Away from "SNL": Although Will Ferrell appeared in various movies during his time on the show, his first starring role didn't come until 2003's "Old School." After its success, Ferrell starred in many comedies including "Elf," "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."

Adam SandlerYears on the show: 1991-95 (started as a writer in 1990) Memorable role: Opera Man Away from "SNL": Adam Sandler went on to make a string of hit movies in the mid- to late 1990s — notably "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore" — and started Happy Madison Productions in 1999. Most recently, he returned to the silver screen this year with fellow "SNL" alumnus Andy Samberg in "That's My Boy," which critics widely panned.

King Phil HartmanR.I.PYears on the show: 1986-94 Memorable role: Bill Clinton (and a million others)Away from "SNL" Phil Hartman co-wrote the screenplay for "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" and regularly appeared on the show "Pee-wee's Playhouse." He voiced many characters in "The Simpsons" animated series, including Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure. At the time of his 1998 murder by his wife, who also took her own life, Hartman was starring as Bill McNeal on the NBC show "NewsRadio" and was slated to voice Zapp Brannigan in Matt Groening's "Futurama."

Eddie MurphyYears on the show: 1980-84 Memorable roles: Velvet Jones; Gumby; Mr. Robertson; Buckwheat Away from "SNL": Eddie Murphy went on to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars. His notable films include the "Beverly Hills Cop" series and the "Nutty Professor" series. In 2006, he was nominated for an Oscar for supporting actor for his work in "Dreamgirls". Oh man, remember when he was funny?

Bill MurrayYears on the show: 1977-80 Memorable roles: Weekend Update anchor; lounge singer Nick Winters Away from "SNL": Bill Murray became a successful film actor, with roles in a number of beloved comedies, among them "Caddyshack," "Ghostbusters" and "Groundhog Day." He earned an Oscar nomination for his work in Sofia Coppola's 2003 film "Lost in Translation." Also crashes parties.

Dan AykroydYears on the show: 1975-79 Memorable roles: Elwood Blues; Richard Nixon; um, George Festrunk tooAway from "SNL": Dan Aykroyd starred in a string of movies throughout the '80s, most notably "The Blues Brothers," with fellow "SNL" alumnus John Belushi, and "Ghostbusters," which he wrote with co-stars Harold Ramis and Rick Moranis.

John BelushiYears on the show: 1975-79 Memorable roles: Samurai Futaba; Jake Blues; Marlon BrandoAway from "SNL": During an "SNL" break, John Belushi filmed his role in "Animal House." He and Dan Aykroyd starred as the Blues Brothers in "SNL" sketches and then on film. Aykroyd wrote roles for Belushi in the movies "Ghostbusters" and "Spies Like Us," but Belushi was found dead March 5, 1982 after a drug overdose.

Chevy ChaseYears on the show: 1975-76 Memorable roles: Weekend Update anchor; Gerald Ford After "SNL:" Chevy Chase, although part of the original "SNL" cast, spent only a year on the show before pursuing other opportunities. He found success in the 1980 film "Caddyshack" and later in the National Lampoon movies. Since 2009, he has played Pierce Hawthorne on the NBC series "Community."

I still get really sad thinking about Phil Hartman. He's one of my favorite people ever and I've been a massive fan of Newsradio since I was a kid. I... just really miss him. It's like I knew him, but he was a big part of my childhood.

i loved ellen cleghorn i heard she got into it with sally field during snl rehersals. liked the chick who played tori spelling in their 90210 skits, the lady who played kelly is married to michael scott.